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Are you gearing up for some football action? America’s favorite sport never really takes a break, but the NFL draft marks a major highlight during the off-season. As it kicks off this Thursday night, Electronic Arts is stepping up with an exciting draft-themed advertisement for their upcoming titles, EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. They’ve also revealed that these much-anticipated games will be coming out this summer.
EA has crafted a captivating two-and-a-half-minute ad titled “The Call,” set to air during the draft coverage on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. It tells the story of a fictional wide receiver, J.D. Matthews Jr., giving us a peek into his world when he gets that life-changing phone call from Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. The ad takes us through Matthews Jr.’s journey, reliving his path from high school to his football career with the Texas Longhorns, emphasized by a powerful narrative of perseverance told by Quinn. The raw emotions on Matthews Jr.’s face make it a truly engaging watch.
The NFL draft represents a pivotal transition from college football to the professional league, embodying the dreams of college athletes to make it to the NFL. For those fortunate enough to get that pivotal call on draft day, it’s a moment of both achievement and the start of a brand new chapter, filled with new challenges and opportunities. “The work’s just starting,” Quinn cautions Matthews Jr., his rookie recruit.
EA’s message is clear: fans can delve into the full football experience by playing both EA Sports College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26. The company announced on Thursday that this year’s update of the series, previously known as NCAA Football, will hit the shelves on July 10 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Followed by Madden’s release on August 14, which will also expand to Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows PC, along with the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
EA is transitioning to the new generation of consoles, with Madden NFL 25 marking the end for PS4 and Xbox One editions. Notably, Madden NFL 26 is set to return to Nintendo through Switch 2 after a 13-year hiatus, since Madden NFL 13 graced the Wii U launch back in November 2012. While EA hasn’t spilled any details about new modes or features for this year’s Madden, we are seeking updates regarding potential feature parity between the Switch 2 version and its counterparts on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and will update when more info becomes available.
Pre-orders are open for College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 across all platforms. While the Switch 2 version isn’t available on EA’s website, Amazon is accepting pre-orders for a game-key card version. For players who want both titles, EA offers the MVP Bundle, a digital exclusive for PS5 and Xbox Series X. Priced at $149.99, it bundles the deluxe editions of the college and pro games, saving buyers $50 off individual purchase prices of $99.99 each. This bundle also includes a wealth of in-game perks across various modes like Ultimate Team, Road to Glory, Dynasty, Franchise, and Superstar, along with three-day early access to the respective games. More details about pre-order benefits can be found on the College Football and Madden websites.
